Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

This regional publication has been an important resource for many folks for the past 216 years. It has the distinction of being the nation’s second oldest almanac. It is also one of the most talked about almanacs around the world providing some of the most accurate weather predictions available, as well as health, home and gardening tips. There are even predictions of the gender of unborn children.

HAGERSTOWN ALMANACK HONORED BY
MARYLAND TRADITIONS

October 17, 2012, Baltimore, MD. - Maryland Traditions, the Folklife Program of the Maryland State Arts Council, today announced the ALTA (Achievement in Living Traditions and Arts) Award recipients for 2012. The awards recognize outstanding stewards of living traditions in the State of Maryland and will be presented to three recipients at a Dec. 1 free awards ceremony and concert at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center on the Montgomery College Takoma Park - Silver Spring campus.

ALTA awards are presented annually to an individual or group, a place and a tradition that embody and help to preserve Maryland's cultural heritage. The 2012 ALTA Award recipients are: The Carroll County Ramblers (People), Sparrows Point Steel Mill and its Communities (Place), and J. Gruber's Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack (Tradition). For more information, click here for the full release.

Suns Will Revive
Woolly Bear Contest

Suns will partner with Hagerstown Almanack to continue contest

Hagerstown, MD - The Hagerstown Suns have agreed to partner with the Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack to keep the Annual Woolly Bear caterpillar contest alive. By doing so, the Suns will now play host to the Woolly Bear Headquarters and the spot for "in-person" judging of the caterpillars.

"When we heard that the contest was going to no longer exist it obviously struck a chord with our entire organization" said Suns General Manager, Bill Farley. "Our mascot, Woolie B, is based off of the Woolly Bear caterpillars and we felt it was our duty to see the contest continue."

The contest will begin immediately and run until Friday November 2. Contestants are asked to bring their entries to the Suns front office located at Municipal Stadium. Jerry Spessard, former judge of the Woolly Bear Contest, has agreed to help the Suns with the judging duties - including deciding which caterpillar is largest and woolliest.

Contest winners will receive $100 from the Almanack and a special gift from the Suns organization.

Hagerstown Almanack
Ends Woolly Bear Contest

The Gruber Almanack, LLC sadly announces that it will no longer be conducting its Annual Woolly Bear Contest, a traditional event held in the Mid-Atlantic Region for 30 years. Each year, The Almanack accepted submissions from around the area competing for the largest and cuddliest awards. Over-all decline in participation, no local Woolly Bear Headquarters for 'in-person' judging, and few Facebook/email submissions were cited as reasons for the decision.

Many considered the woolly bear to be a true weather prognosticators and the nature of the 3 bands would also be noted during the competition. Many participants of the contest took interest in comparing The Almanack's predictions with the woolly bear's over the coming winter.

The Almanack wishes to thank all past winners, participants, and supporters of its Woolly Bear Contest and hopes that the interest in these fuzzy little creatures and their place in American folklore will continue.

GRUBER ALMANAC(K) FALL EDITIONS NOW AVAILABLE!

The Gruber Almanack, LLC. proudly announces the availability of the 2013 Fall Editions of its Mid-Atlantic Region favorite, J. Gruber's Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack and the nationally-distributed, J. Gruber's Garden and Farm Almanac, starting on September 4th, 2012. The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack has a rich, 217-year history of continuous publication, with the added distinction of still being owned and operated by heirs of its founder, John Gruber. J. Gruber's Garden and Farm Almanac, introduced in 2011, carries on the Gruber Tradition and has all of the same charm, spirit, and informative content. A total of 16 months of weather forecasts (September, 2102 to December, 2013 are inside as well as important astronomical data, hints and tips for the house, farm and garden, a degree of humor, and thought-provoking quotes and sayings that are sure to inspire! For your added enjoyment, a number of insightful and informative features are included on such topics as the origns of our national anthem, the art of canning and preserving, and our own Catalog Picks for 2013. The Fall Editions will be on sale at your favorite grocery, pharmacy, hardware, book, and many popular retail stores. For a complete list of retailers, click on 'Where to Buy Us' on the right.

2011 GRUBER ALMANACS PREDICTED HURRICANE IRENE!

Both The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack and the nationally-distributed J. Gruber's Garden and Farm Almanac had it right in their predictions made over a year ago, of Hurricane Irene that is threatening the East Coast of the United States. Click here for more....

Read what others have to say about the Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack:

"Nightly News" with Tom Brokaw... "The Almanack beat the National Weather Service's sophisticated computers to accurately predict the first big snowstorm of the millennium."

The Herald-Mail ,Hagerstown, MD , February 19, 2003 “Almanack predicted 23-inch snowstorm”

Click here to read more quotes

SEE HOW THE THE GRUBER ALMANACS PREDICTED HURRICANE IRENE!

J. Gruber's Garden and Farm Almanac

New in 2011, J. Gruber's Garden and Farm Almanac is an expanded version of the famous Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack, now available nation-wide. It includes national weather forecasts for the 'Lower Forty-eight' as well as useful garden and farm tips, contemporary household hints, and insights into everyday living.